Every weekday from now until Selection Sunday (and every day in March) will feature analysis of the previous night plus a quick look at games with the potential to impact the final NCAA tournament field of 68.

MONDAY RISERS

Oklahoma: The Sooners (17-4, 6-2 Big 12) got 15 points and 17 rebounds from Ryan Spangler in an 88-76 defeat of Oklahoma State as they won their fourth consecutive game. Oklahoma is now 4-2 against the serious NCAA tournament contenders in the Big 12 and continue to impress in what wasn't expected to be an especially stout season in Norman.

Villanova: The Wildcats have responded well since last week's pummeling at the hands of Creighton, beating Marquette and Georgetown on the road to improve to 18-2. Monday's 65-60 triumph at Georgetown was atypical for Jay Wright's team, which was held to less than 70 points for only the fourth time all season. But Villanova was still balanced (five players with at least nine points) as it improved to 5-0 in Big East road games and 8-1 away from home this season.

MONDAY DECLINERS

Georgetown: The Hoyas (11-9, 3-6 Big East) have matched their longest losing streak under John Thompson III, a slide that grew to five with Monday's loss to Villanova. Things might not improve with a meeting with Michigan State at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. This team isn't headed for the NCAA tournament barring a stunning turnaround, and it might be headed for its first losing season since 2003-04 — Craig Esherick's final year at Georgetown.

Pittsburgh: The Panthers (18-3, 6-2 ACC) have a gaudy record but relatively little substance to back it up. Monday's 80-65 loss to Duke at home didn't help matters. Of the top 55 teams in the RPI (per WarrenNolan.com), is one of five without a top-50 victory. The others: Toledo, North Dakota State, Indiana State and Harvard.

TUESDAY'S GAMES OF SIGNIFICANCE

Missouri at Arkansas, 7 (ESPNU): The Razorbacks (13-6, 2-4 SEC) are as strong as ever at home, which spells trouble for a Missouri bunch that has split its first six conference games and still doesn't have a particularly powerful profile. One thing the Tigers (15-4) do have going for them is a 5-3 mark outside of Columbia.

Michigan State at Iowa, 7 (ESPN): The Spartans (18-2, 7-1 Big Ten) come off their first conference loss and bring a 9-0 mark away from East Lansing into this showdown with the Hawkeyes (16-4, 5-2). Iowa has yet to lose in 11 home games this season, and its resume would add its most notable triumph yet with a victory.

Kentucky at Louisiana State, 9 (ESPN): Kentucky is a shrug-worthy 2-4 outside of Rupp Arena. If the Wildcats are to improve their profile in the short-term and reach their potential in the long term, they'll need to do better in road and neutral venues.

New Mexico at Utah State, 11 (ESPNU): San Diego State barely escaped Logan with a victory on Saturday. The Lobos (15-4, 6-1 Mountain West) will try to do the same Tuesday.